UK drops backdoor demand after talks

Tulsi Gabbard says the UK abandoned its push for access to Apple's encrypted data following talks with the Trump administration.

UK Drops Apple Backdoor Demand After Talks

The United Kingdom reportedly dropped its demand for a backdoor into Apple’s iCloud data after negotiations with the Trump administration, according to National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. The claim places the end of the UK’s push within weeks of a public dispute over the Investigatory Powers Act and Apple’s Advanced Data Protection feature. Apple previously limited ADP in the UK and challenged the backdoor demand in court, a move that drew global privacy concern.

Gabbard’s post also states she worked with President Trump and Vice President Vance on the talks. The episode highlights the ongoing tension between security access and strong encryption, and it raises questions about how encryption policy will be shaped as diplomatic ties influence tech rules. Apple and the U.K. Home Office did not respond to requests for comment.

If the claim is accurate, it shows how encryption policy can move through political channels as much as legal ones. It emphasizes the influence of political leadership in shaping tech policy when allies coordinate on sensitive data issues. The episode also tests the idea that tech firms should bear the burden of government access without compromising global trust in security features.

The stakes are global. A decision about backdoors affects users around the world and could set a precedent for future demands on other companies. The outcome matters for privacy advocates, investors, and policymakers who watch how security, civil liberties, and diplomacy intersect in real time.

Highlights

The backdoor debate will continue to test how much privacy societies are willing to trade for security.